Peter Ricketts on Crime

Republican Senate Challenger

First NE execution in 20 years, with new drug combination

Nebraska carried out its first execution in more than two decades with the lethal injection of four drugs in a combination never tried before, including the powerful opioid fentanyl.

The execution comes a little more than three years after Nebraska
lawmakers abolished the death penalty, only to have it reinstated the following year through a citizen ballot drive partially financed by Gov. Pete Ricketts. The governor has said he was fulfilling the wishes of voters in the conservative state.

The Nebraska drug protocol called for an initial IV dose of diazepam, to render the inmate unconscious; the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl; cisatracurium besylate to induce paralysis and stop the inmate from breathing; and potassium chloride
to stop the heart. After each injection, prison officials sent saline through the IV to flush out any residue and ensure all the drugs had entered the inmate's system. Diazepam, fentanyl and cisatracurium had never been used in executions before.

Automated sentence calculation for Department of Corrections

[Regarding] the Department of Corrections, we made significant progress in an agency that had been neglected for years. In addition to providing for the basic needs of more than 5,300 inmates,
Corrections successfully launched an automated sentence calculation program, implemented the first-ever risks/needs assessment tool, reformed restrictive housing, completed a culture study and staffing analysis, expanded mental health and
cognitive behavioral programming, created mission specific housing, and developed an inmate health plan while addressing pay and quality of life issues for Corrections officers.

With this budget proposal, we will reduce protective services vacancy rates, upgrade technology, and improve the Lincoln Correctional Center.